Woman charged in Apple store robbery

A woman already facing a murder charge in an incident that led to the death of San Diego police officer now faces new charges stemming from the April burglary attempt and shootout at Chula Vista's Apple store.

Melissa Ortiz, 22, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to attempted murder, robbery, commercial burglary, and assault with a semi-automatic firearm. She also faces gang and gun-use allegations and a potential sentence of up to 29 years in prison if she is convicted.

Ortiz and two co-defendants were charged in July in connection with the death of Officer Christopher Wilson, 50, who was fatally wounded in October of last year during a shootout at a Skyline apartment.

If convicted of those charges, Ortiz could be sent to prison for life.

On Wednesday, San Diego Superior Court Judge David Szumowski ordered Ortiz’s bail to remain set at $2 million and scheduled a status conference a few weeks from now to determine how the case will proceed.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Runyon said Ortiz acted as a lookout in the Apple store robbery that left one man dead.

He told the judge during the arraignment that two men drove to Otay Ranch Town Center on April 4 forced their way into the Apple store at 6:45 a.m. A woman — identified as Ortiz — remained in the getaway car.

One of the men pulled a gun on an armed security guard and a gun battle ensued. The men fled in an Acura and one was mortally wounded as he got behind the wheel.

The car crashed and the driver, Alex Choulamontry, died.

The other suspected robber, Johnny Chenda, and Ortiz ran from the car and were found hiding in the backyard of a nearby home.

A cellphone found in the back seat of the Acura had an application that played police radio broadcasts. The phone was broadcasting Chula Vista police information as officers approached the car.

Ortiz is accused of monitoring radio traffic while the robbery was in progress, the prosecutor said.